Thread: Brush abuse

Thought I would share a bad habit I'd developed that was damaging my brushes. About three months ago my two main brushes, a Thater 3 band and a SOC boar (both about 3 years old), began loosing multiple hairs/bristles during each use. I figured if two different type/make of brush was experiencing the same thing around the same time it had to be something I was doing.
Up to that point my brush maintenance consisted of flushing with cold water after use (I lay the brush in my palm and 'pump' the bulb as water runs into the knot), shaking out the water and then setting the brush on the bathroom window sill until the next day (not hanging upside down in a holder). Here's where I believe I was damaging my brushes: before setting the brush back on the shelf after drying I would fan the dry, stiff knot against my hand to loosen the bristles/hairs up. This was weakening the bristles/hairs eventually causing breakage (my theory). After stopping this needless habit I no longer experience the excessive shedding and it has been a couple of months now.
So, no fanning allowed with dry brushes! (IME, YMMV).